Western Bulldogs leader Katie Lynch has lauded the improvement of ruck Alice Edmonds this season.
In just her second season at the Kennel, Edmonds has assumed the number one ruck role – and the stats speak for themselves, leading the league for hit-outs (270) and hit-outs to advantage (90).
It’s no surprise Lynch, like many others, are campaigning for further recognition for the 24-year-old.
“We’ve been absolutely stoked for big Al – we get into her every week after breaking records and doing all those good things,” Lynch told Credit to the Girls podcast.
“She’s been unreal. Not many people would know this about Al, but she’s a full-time cop, so she literally works all day and then comes into training – like a lot of girls do – but the way she has been able to improve has just been out of this world.
“We’ve been so impressed with her. She gives the team another vice to work with.”
Lynch has been enjoying some form of her own too, finishing the regular season as the Club’s leading interceptor (55) and marker (50), while taking the second-most marks across the competition.
She’ll be one of 13 players from the Dogs’ round 10 team that is yet to play in a final, and couldn’t be more pumped for Sunday’s showdown against Collingwood.
“It’s going to be the first final for a lot of our team, so I think that just creates energy automatically,” the 35-gamer said.
“It always has been our goal – to play finals. We think that’s where we belong, but the last couple of seasons we haven’t been able to do it.
>> "WE'RE HYPED" BLACKBURN ON RETURN TO FINALS <<
“Now we are finally getting a taste of it on Sunday. Everyone is really excited.
“I think it could be that little kick that we need. We’re here now and can make what we want of it.
“While we’re happy with how we’re going at the moment, we think the best is yet to come.”
The Bulldogs will release their elimination final team at 5.30pm AEDT on Saturday night.
Tickets to the clash at Victoria Park are available here.
